1985 Catalina 30 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
1985 Catalina 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Catalina 30 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Beneteau |
| Year | 1985–1996 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Catalina 30 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Catalina 30 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1985 Catalina 30 was penned by Frank Butler. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1985 Catalina 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1985 Catalina 30 is 0.95m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1985 Catalina 30 displaces approximately 89% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Catalina 30 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.91 and 40.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Catalina 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1985 Catalina 30 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Catalina 30 provides 7 berths in 1 cabin with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Catalina 30 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Catalina 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1985 Catalina 30 · Beneteau First 27